Industry data shows use of down payment assistance doubled in four years.
Atlanta, GA, July 25, 2019 – Atlanta-based Down Payment Resource, the nationwide database for homebuyer programs, today released its First and Second Quarter 2019 Homeownership Program Index (HPI).
Down Payment Resource (DPR) communicates with 1,248 program administrators to track and update the country’s wide range of homeownership programs, including down payment and closing cost programs, Mortgage Credit Certificates, affordable first mortgages and more.
HPI key facts
A common myth about home ownership programs is that they are only available to first-time home buyers. Since the last HPI, the share of programs without a first-time home buyer requirement increased to 41%, up 2% from the previous HPI. This means more home ownership programs can serve repeat and move-up buyers. Most programs use HUD’s definition of a first-time home buyer — someone who has not owned a home in the past three years.
There are new signs that more home buyers are accessing down payment assistance funds. Data from National Survey of Mortgage Originations and Freddie Mac found that buyers using down payment assistance as a source for the down payment doubled in four years, between 2013 – 2016. With new buyers coming to market who don’t have proceeds from a home sale to fund their down payment, down payment program use may be poised for continued growth. In addition, FHA reports that more than 13% of borrowers who used an FHA loan so far in 2019 received government help with the down payment.
Source: Freddie Mac
Source: Freddie Mac Research
“It’s encouraging to see more home buyers accessing the down payment help they need to make home ownership more affordable,” said Rob Chrane, CEO of Down Payment Resource. “We track a wide range of eligibility criteria and benefit details about today’s programs. It’s information that helps housing professionals and home buyers easily identify opportunities that will work for their situation.”
The Arizona Industrial Development Authority (AzIDA), a political subdivision of the Arizona Finance Authority and State of Arizona administers the HOME Plus home buyer down payment assistance program. The HOME Plus Program provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage combined with down payment assistance averaging $8,300 per homebuyer. This assistance can be used toward the down payment, closing costs or a combination of the two. Over 500 new Arizona home buyers a month are using the HOME Plus program to purchase a home.
For valuable home buying links and to learn more about the HOME Plus program please visit our website at: https://homeplus.az.gov
View state-by-state data.
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About Down Payment Resource: Down Payment Resource (DPR) creates opportunity for homebuyers, REALTORS® and lenders by uncovering programs that get people into homes. The company tracks more than 2,500 homebuyer programs through its housing finance agency partners. DPR has been recognized by Inman News as “Most Innovative New Technology” and the HousingWire Tech100™. DPR is licensed to Multiple Listing Services, Realtor Associations, lenders and housing counselors across the country. For more information, please visit DownPaymentResource.com and on Twitter at @DwnPmtResource.
About Down Payment Resource’s Homeownership Program Index
The Homeownership Program Index (HPI) measures the availability and characteristics of down payment programs administered by state and local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs), nonprofits and other housing organizations. It analyzed state, local and national programs available in the DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE® registry as of January 9, 2019.
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